Guest Blogger: Kelly C1

Kendrick Lamar was born in Compton, California. When he was eight, in 1995, Lamar watched his idols, Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre film the music video for their hit single "California Love," a very significant moment in Lamar's music career life. Kendrick Lamar likes to compare himself to Tupac Shakur. But Tupac wasn’t from Los Angeles and didn’t know his father growing up. By the time Tupac was 23; he had already been shot multiple times and begun serving a prison sentence. Lamar, on the other hand, was born and raised in Compton. His parents are still married. He’s 23, and so far he has dodged bullets that dart through what he calls his “mad city.”. Lamar is classified as a Hip-hop artist. His song and lyrics fit the genres because of the emotional/upbeat feel to his songs. Lamar most recent album Good kid, M.A.A.D. city exceeds the unique anticipation with its convincing, well-spoken storytelling, which describes a reflection of the strict reality that was Kendrick's childhood while living in Compton in the 90s. The album reveals secrets of his family and friends that intertwined within the overall album release to showcase the impact, from pain to beauty that those around him. Lamar has a unique style to his music. Compared to other songs that I have listened to his songs are more touching and actually have a meaning to them. Those are the songs that attract me to an artist; one that I can relate too. One song that has a deep meaning is “Poetic Justice” a line in the song caught my ears was “If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?”. That line in the song is stating if you would trust anyone under any circumstance. I agree with the critics because of all they’re positive comments they are stating about Lamar. One of the critics by the name of Kartik left a deep and positive review “One of the best hip-hop Album released in recent years truly a CLASSIC!! Ladies and Gentlemen it is history in making.” My overall opinion about Kendrick Lamar and his new album is tremendous, it is worth your time and money if you want to listen to a deep and real hip-hop artist that tells his story through his new album Good kid, M.A.A.D. city.